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Biodiesel is a blend of soy oil and diesel fuel that can greatly reduce air emissions without compromising vehicle performance. Certain blends can be used in any diesel-powered motors without engine modifications. Iowa state government has been a long-standing promoter of biodiesel, and currently uses it in two of its Department of Transportation fleets.
Iowa has two biodiesel plants with combined production capacity of more than 15 million gallons per year – West Central Cooperative, in Ralston and Ag Environmental Products, in Sergeant Bluffs. Iowans can purchase biodiesel blends from more than 150 locations across the state.
DNR Involvement
The DNR has hosted workshops and works to disseminate information about the alternative fuel across Iowa. These efforts are important to raise awareness of biodiesel in the state.
Major Projects and Accomplishments Across Iowa and the U.S.
- In 2001, the Iowa legislature established a revolving fund for the Iowa Department of Transportation to continue and expand its use of biodiesel.
- Other Iowa fleets using biodiesel include Five Seasons Transportation in Cedar Rapids, which fuels its entire fleet of 60 buses with the fuel, and MidAmerican Energy.
Economy
* Biodiesel Facts below are from the Iowa Soybean Association and the National Biodiesel Board and were updated July 2001.
- One bushel of soybeans can produce 1.5 gallons of biodiesel.
- Since June 1999, biodiesel sales have grown to an industry estimate of three million gallons per year, or the equivalent of two million bushels of U.S. soybeans.
- An economic study conducted by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute predicted that a 70 million gallon annual market for biodiesel could return up to $225 million to farmers.
- In the last year, the price of wholesale delivered biodiesel has decreased by half. Generally, a 20 percent biodiesel blend (with 80 percent regular diesel, known as B20) costs 15 to 30 cents more per gallon than straight petroleum fuel.
Environment
- Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable, cleaner-burning fuel. Biodiesel poses no risk to water quality.
- A 100 percent biodiesel blend lowers carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 44 percent, particulate matter by 40 percent and sulfate emissions by 100 percent.
- B20 lowers CO emissions by 9 percent, particulate matter by 8 percent and sulfate emissions by 20 percent. When B20 is used along with an oxidation catalyst, it reduces particulate matter by 45 percent, carbon monoxide by 41 percent and total hydrocarbons by 65 percent.
- The ozone-forming potential from biodiesel is nearly 50 percent less than that measured for diesel fuel.
- Biodiesel reduces air toxins by up to 90 percent.
- Biodiesel has the highest energy balance of any alternative fuel. For every one unit of fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are gained.
Performance
- Biodiesel has the highest energy content (120,000 BTUs per gallon) of any alternative fuel.
- Biodiesel has significantly improved lubricity, which can decrease maintenance costs and reduce engine wear.
- A flash point of more than 300 degrees Fahrenheit makes biodiesel safer to store and handle than diesel (125 degrees F flash point), gasoline (-45 degrees F flash point), or other gaseous fuels.
- Biodiesel can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modifications to the vehicle. Biodiesel has a solvent effect, which may release deposits accumulated on tank walls and pipes from previous diesel fuel storage. The release of deposits may clog filters initially so precautions should be taken.
- Manufacturer warranties cover defects in material and workmanship, and those warranties extend to engines burning biodiesel. Using biodiesel will not void warranties, but the warranties will not cover problems caused by fuel, either biodiesel or regular diesel.
Off-Site Links
DNR Contact:
Brian Crowe
(515) 281-8518
Brian.Crowe@dnr.state.ia.us
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